Preseason presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.
Head Coach Adrian Heath
On finding a level of consistency…
“I don’t think it’s something that you can say to a player, ‘we need to be more consistent.’ We have to go through the process of making sure that every game we start better than we have done at times. We realize that every point you get, even in the first two or three weeks, ultimately goes to the ultimate total. Last year, we had a poor start and then we had that real purple patch of 13 games where we only lost one game. I think we took the most points in the league, that was in L.A. at that time and then we had a bad finish. It was too streaky for me. I want us to be at a level where we’re never as high as we were at some stage during that 13-game unbeaten run, but not as bad as we were in the two in the beginning and at the end of the season. It’s something that we’ve spoke about. It’s starts with the very first game of the season. The level of fitness has been terrific. The lads have worked really, really hard. We need to add one or two more players that will help the group and get that competition for places and if we do that, we’ll be okay.”
On newly-signed defender Mikael Marques…
“He’s a young kid who’s got a lot of tools. People realize that, you look at the injury we had to [Bakaye] Dibassy and the age of Boxy [Michael Boxall] and Brent Kallman, we needed to get a little bit younger there. We announced Mikael a few days ago… young, 21 years of age, plays right-back, can play center-back, quick, very young, athletic, got a lot of upsides on him. We hope to announce another one in the next coming days. It’s something we know we needed to address, I think we’ve done that, and now we need to add one or two other pieces as well to help in the forward areas. If we get them pieces, this will be a good group.”
Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair
On his notable offseason in Qatar with the Canada National Team…
“Exciting experience being able to represent my country at the biggest level in sports. At the same time, disappointed with the way the results went but [I’m] hungrier to do more and contribute more. We have Gold Cup this summer, looking to be a part of that and to be a success.”
On his best memory from the World Cup…
“Honestly, I think playing with Kamal Miller. Our experience growing up carpooling to practices from a young age, to be able to be at the biggest stage in sports together with my best friend was definitely my best experience, as well as having my family and friends there.”
On heading into the new MLS season as the starting goalkeeper…
“This isn’t the first time this has happened. It’s been a little bit of a battle before but in my mind, I’ve always been the starter here. To be able to have that experience and to be able to get that extra confidence going into this year, knowing it’s less of a battle. But I know Clint [Irwin] has come in and been very strong, so I know I need to keep my level and continue to raise his as well.”
On his top focus this preseason…
“I think just consistency. Last year was a long season with me having the World Cup, so being able to get a little extra week off and to be able to get my feet back under me. I needed some important rest in the offseason so being able to get back and build relationships with the new guys and be able to continue and focus on consistency this season.”
On the benefits of the preseason matches such as fitness and chemistry…
“Especially in my position, you can do whatever you want in training, but nothing is going to emulate the game because my position is a reaction position. So, to be able to get those minutes under the belt in the preseason is important and like you said, chemistry. A lot of new guys coming in this year, especially in the backline with Zarek [Valentin] and Doneil [Henry] so being able to understand their styles of play. I know Doneil [Henry] a lot better than Zarek [Valentin], but to be able to see how he [Doneil Henry] integrates with the group and to be able to understand their play styles in the kind of football that we’re going to be playing this season.”
Midfielder Robin Lod
On the first couple weeks of preseason…
“It’s been tough. Always the first few weeks in the preseason is building up the fitness level. We’ve been working really hard but it’s been nice at the same time.”
On the importance of a strong start at the beginning of the season…
“It’s really important to be fit when the game starts because even the first game, if they give the same amount of points that they give in the last couple of games in the regular season. If you can be in a better fitness level than the opponent team, you get a good advantage on those games, which are important. It’s really important to start well and start working hard in the beginning and start to workout with each other and build up the chemistry.”
On how the preseason scrimmages help build team chemistry…
“You get to play with each other again and start to build up. Even though they are friendly games, it’s really important to build up the winning mentality and start to win those games. It’s good to get back to work with the guys.”
On the approach to the preseason scrimmages…
“Of course, the important thing is to get the match fitness for the guys you start to use to play because even though you work hard outside of the field, it’s different playing the game. The only way you get the match fitness is to play the game so that’s the first. But also to start to build up the chemistry with the other guys and start to learn to play with the new guys and build up with the old guys who were here last year and start to build up something.”
